Dorothy Marie Ulwick

Dorothy Marie Ulwick, age 101, a resident of Winchester, MA since 1958, and of Falmouth, MA, passed away peacefully at home, lovingly surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 63 years, James C. Ulwick.
Born and raised in Dorchester, Dorothy was the fourth of seven children of the late Patrick F. and Helen A. (Glynn) Murphy. She graduated from the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Nursing Program as a Registered Nurse and the received her Public Health Certificate from Simmons College. Her nursing career began with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and then continued with the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of Boston. She was a champion for females, and though it was uncommon, she pursued her athleticism playing baseball with boys in the late 1930's and later became a Boston City Softball All Star.
Dorothy and Jim married in 1951 and soon her life revolved around a busy home in Winchester filled with eight active children. It was always clear to the children that she expected them to pursue higher education, and to always give back to others. She was a dedicated parishioner at St. Mary's Church in Winchester where she served as an extraordinary minister and a member of the Teams of Our Lady. Through St. Mary's, Dorothy worked settling Laotian refugees, assisting the families in finding housing, education, health care, and work opportunities. She was proud of her nursing background and was a long-term participant in the Nurses' Health Study, which played an instrumental role in shaping public health policy. Dorothy embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength of spirit, and an unending generosity that could be seen in her care for others.
Dorothy enjoyed traveling with her husband and family both before and during their retirement. She loved attending family events, including graduations (attending over 45), weddings, and many holiday celebrations. Dorothy was the life of the party: enjoying humor, evoking quirky sayings ("Dot-isms"), and embracing all styles of music. She was a lifelong Red Sox fan, and attended a game for her 100th birthday as a guest of the team. Dorothy touched the lives of everyone she met, evidenced by many who adopted her as their mother, friend, or grandparent.
Dorothy was the loving mother of James P. Ulwick and his wife Suellen Ferguson of MD, Janet M. Ulwick-Sacca and her husband Stephen Sacca of Gloucester, Julie U. Doe and her husband William of Winchester, Lisa M. Ulwick of Tewksbury, John K. Ulwick of Winchester, Jennifer M.R. Ulwick and her husband David of Topsfield, and the late Christine M. Ulwick and Signe M. Meals and her surviving spouse Christopher Meals. She was the devoted grandmother of James A. Ulwick and his wife Melissa Ness, Brian F. Ulwick and his wife Emily Argentine, Caroline M. Ulwick, Katie S. Brennan and her husband Patrick, Emily S. Doe and her husband Ian Momsen, Trevor G. Doe and his wife Anna, Jessica L Doe and her husband Andrew Perkins, Jacqueline M. Doe, Connor F. Doe, Jared M. Bowman, Stephanie D. Ulwick, John J. Ulwick, Heather J. Ulwick, Sara M. Meals, Jake M.R. Ulwick and Tyler F.R. Ulwick. She was the dear great-grandmother of Winter, Freya and Miles Ulwick, Marion, John and Will Brennan, Lake, Willa and Cleo Momsen, Penelope, Madeline, Declan and Piper Doe, Lelia, Maeve and June Perkins. Dorothy was predeceased by six siblings and is further survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather for Visiting Hours at the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Friday, November 22, from 4-7PM, and again on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 9AM followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester, at 10AM. Burial will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Saint Mary's Church of Winchester or a charity of your choice.